ANTI-NARCOTICS agents and the Martial Law Special Action Group (MLSAG) have arrested a local businessman and two others and confiscated nearly P300,000 worth of suspected illegal drugs, firearms, and explosives in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, on Monday, October 9.
Through a court order, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Northern Mindanao and the MLSAG swooped down and searched the two-storey house of the suspect, 53-year-old Rico Bacon, in Apovel Subdvision, Bulua.
Authorities recovered nine big packs of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) weighing around 45 grams and worth about P270,000.
Also seized were a 9mm caliber pistol, a hand grenade, and bullets.
The joint operatives of PDEA and military also arrested Bacon's wife Mary Ann and brother-in-law identified as Virgilio Toledo after another hand grenade was found inside the latter's room.
"Ang subject sa search warrant is illegal drugs. Ang mga armas ug explosives are incidental to a lawful search (The subject of the search warrant is illegal drugs. The firearms and explosives are incidental to a lawful search)," said Senior Police Officer 4 Noel Oclarit, City Executive Senior Police officer of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Cagayan de Oro City (CIDG-CDOC).
Oclarit said authorities are still investigating other activities of the suspects.
PDEA-Northern Mindanao Director Adrian Albariño said they have been following the alleged involvement of the suspects in the illegal drug trade.
Albariño said the suspects are believed to be connected with the Parojinogs of Ozamis City and a criminal group originating from Misamis Occidental.
Bacon was detained at the PDEA jail facility, while Toledo is being put behind bars at the CIDG-Northern Mindanao detention cell.
The suspects will face illegal drugs, illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosive charges.
The suspects denied all allegations.